Earthquake drill at local school shakes up an otherwise normal school day

RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- There was a whole lot of shaking going on at an area elementary school Monday morning.

Roy Gomm Elementary School students got the chance to feel what it's like to be in a real earthquake. The big shaker, an earthquake simulation trailer used to train emergency responders and others how to respond in an earthquake, was rolled on to campus to offer up the learning experience.

The drill gave students and teachers an idea what a large earthquake would feel like, how quickly it could strike and how to prepare for it.

"When we get the children we kind of capture the larger audience because they're excited about it. It is kind of a fun experience. They can go home and talk to their parents about it. They can maybe talk to their grandparents. They might be on the news. So, by getting the kids and educating the kids, affect the larger community," said Annie Kell, educational coordinator at the UNR seismological lab.

Graham Kent, the director of UNR's seismological lab says although it has been 60 years since a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Nevada, the state can expect three every century.